When I first planned my cross-country trip, I can’t say that the Hartman Rock Garden in Springfield, Ohio was on my list. There were other things that I wanted to see. I kept it on the list anyway, but on the way driving from New York to California, it was a rainout.
On the way back, I had some extra time, and the weather was nice, so I decided to stop and see it. I had never heard of Ben Hartman or this impressive rock garden. But when I was planning my trip on the Roadtrippers website, it popped up.
When I went to the website, I read that Ben Hartman was an artist who drew inspiration from family and friends, as well as from magazines, books, radio, and film. It says that every aspect of this garden was constructed by hand between 1932 and 1944. He used the materials around him, such as concrete, metal, glass, stone, wood, and whatever else he could find. I’m all for really creative art! So it made the list, and on the way back, it wasn’t raining, so we made a pitstop.
The rock garden is located in the yard of a private house and they do have set hours as to when you can visit so check the website. When you arrive, there is a board that explains what you are about to see.
The garden is interesting and beautiful and strange and weird all at once. According to its history, Ben died in 1944 from silicosis, an occupational lung disease. “His wife Mary took on the monumental task of maintaining the garden, caring for the wide array of flowers, preserving Ben’s intriguing structures, giving tours, and even adding small details where she saw fit. Visitors may have seen it as a rock garden, but she called it “a garden of love.”
If You Go to the Hartman Rock Garden
It took me about 25 minutes to look at everything and honestly, I’m sure I missed stuff because I had to get back on the road.
I didn’t realize how much religion and spirituality went into this creation before I saw it. Squat down and look in the windows to see even more. The attention to detail is unbelievable. If that offends you, stay away, or you can just go and enjoy the art and the time and effort it took to create this. There are statues and biblical sayings, and recreations of Jesus’ birth all within the art.
There is a way to make donations to keep this spectacular creation going. I do recommend that you stop and visit the rock garden that has been seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years. Enjoy!
If you want to see my videos of the Hartman Rock Garden, visit my Instagram!
